Biology students take home two top awards at mammal conference

The Central Plains Society of Mammalogists Conference was held on Oct. 12, 2019 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Several Missouri State biology faculty and students attended and made presentations:

Sean Maher, assistant professor of biology, attended the meeting.

Susan Anderson is an undergraduate student working in the labs of Dr. Chris Lupfer, assistant professor of biology and Dr. Tom Tomasi, professor of biology. She gave a presentation on her research on the efficacy of using UV light to treat white-nose syndrome in bats.

Paige Harman is an undergraduate student working in Maher’s lab. She gave a poster presentation on her research on distribution of short-tailed shrews in Missouri.

About the conference

It was an exciting conference for Missouri State, with both presenting students taking home first place awards.

Anderson received the award for the best undergraduate oral presentation.

Harman received the award for the best undergraduate poster.

“Undergraduate research allows students to become practicing scientists while still relatively early in their studies,” Mathis said. “Our undergraduate researchers make outstanding contributions to their fields, and these awards to Susan and Paige are well-deserved.”

Maher was elected to be the president for 2020.

“Dr. Maher’s election as president-elect of this society demonstrates the respect that his colleagues have for his leadership in mammalogy,” Mathis said. “Biology is very proud of this recognition of his on-going efforts.”